CORONAVIRUS AND POLIO

The following guidance has been released by our Expert Panel in relation to Polio/PPS and the current outbreak of Covid-19

In the last months the coronavirus (COVID-19) has emerged world-wide. This is a new virus that can affect your lungs and airways and cause significant illness. For most people, it will be quite mild, but as most polio survivors in the UK are over 70 years old they are more at risk of being severely ill if they contract coronavirus disease. Please be very careful to follow the government advice and stay safe.

As a community of people living with a long term condition, many polio survivors are asking questions about what it means for them. The expert panel produces advice on polio and PPS; on the coronavirus we recommend members follow the official government advice. This article summarises the latest NHS and government information at the time of writing (29th March 2020). It is not possible to reprint everything, but for our members who do not use the internet, this contains the main points.

For the more complete and the most recent information, the best websites are the NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/), and the UK government (https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus). If you cannot access the internet, try and find a family member or friend who can as this is where the best information will be.

Polio and coronavirusAs polio survivors, we are not more likely to catch coronavirus disease, but as most people who had polio in the UK are over 70 years old, if they do catch the virus they are at increased risk of being severely ill. It is important that they be particularly careful about following the government advice and social distancing steps.

Polio survivors who had or currently have breathing muscle involvement are at higher risk if they contract any respiratory infection.

Underlying medical conditions can increase the risk of more serious illness; the list on the government website includes chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart, kidney or liver disease, chronic neurological conditions and being seriously overweight (BMI over 40).

The people considered to be at the very highest risk and extremely vulnerable are those with compromised immune systems or severe respiratory conditions; for example having had a solid organ transplant, certain types of cancer treatments, cystic fibrosis or severe COPD. People in this group are to be contacted by letter before the end of March. The additional advice for people in this group is to stay at home at all times (also called 'shielding').

We know of no evidence of polio survivors having weakened immune systems as a result of contracting polio.

So what to do:• As the majority of our members are over 60 years old, and two thirds over 70, we are at higher risk from serious illness if we contract coronavirus. Therefore, we need to be particularly stringent in following the government and NHS advice• If you think you have coronavirus (see box), to protect yourself and others, stay at home (self-isolate). The current advice is to stay at home for 7 days from the start of symptoms. On day 8 if you no longer have a fever, you are probably no longer infectious. To be cautious, wait at least 2 days after your temperature has settled. The cough can linger on for many weeks. • If you live with someone who develops symptoms, you should self isolate for 14 days from the start of those symptoms in case you also become ill.• If you don't have symptoms, the advice for everybody now is to stay at home except for food shopping, exercise, medical need or absolutely necessary work travel (see box). When out, follow the social distancing ruleso keep a distance of 6 feet from other people• follow the guidance on handwashing and respiratory hygiene (see box)• A small number of polio survivors will have severe respiratory difficulties or other conditions in the extremely vulnerable group. If you are in this group, you are strongly advised to stay at home at all times - if you haven't received the letter from the NHS to extremely vulnerable people by the 29th March 2020 or been contacted by your GP or hospital, or you think you fall into this category for other reasons, you should discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician.• People who are on NIV/BIPAP should contact their respiratory team for advice on cleaning their tubing, their level of risk or their need for shielding.• Oddly, this a an unusual time where doing nothing (staying at home) will save lives

Stay sane - it is a very challenging time and coronavirus messages are everywhere, often with little new information. Perhaps watch only one new bulletin a day, in the evening with the fullest report. Keep in contact with friends and family, online, on the phone, or even letters!! Get fresh air and sunshine when you can, eat a healthy diet, and follow what accessible activity or exercise that keeps you mobile.

Ask for help if you need it - wise words from a polio colleague;"I know how independent we polio disabled people like to be, but at this time it is important to remember that it is not a weakness to ask for help. In fact it takes courage and we all have courage which is how we survived polio. So please ask for help if you need it"

We know that many of our members were isolated and less mobile before this outbreak. Some may have difficulty getting shopping even with the special access hours in some shops. Local BPF groups have done amazing work over the years in their communities. This is now a time where local community is as important as national organisations. I am sure many are already working hard to help polio survivors in this new challenge. Are there any ideas you can share to others on checking on nearby polio survivors? Or to organise shopping or other support? Stay well.

The most common symptoms of coronavirus - from NHS.uka high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do - from gov.uk for everyone (29th March)

Stay at homeOnly go outside for food, health reasons or essential work• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people• Wash your hands as soon as you get home• Anyone can spread the virus.

You should only leave the house for one of four reasons.● Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent aspossible.● One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of yourhousehold.● Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.● Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home. Full guidance - https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Handwashing and respiratory hygieneThere are general principles you can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:• Washing your hands more often - with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser. Key times: when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, before eating or handling food, after using the toilet, after contact with pets, before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms• cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home (tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, taps, and sinks, doorbells)

other things that might helpo The use of hand sanitisers is recommended when you cannot get access to running water and soapo be cautious about deliveries as the virus can stay active on many surfaces for a long time- clean where possible, if you have space and it is not a trip hazard, leave them to one side for as long as you can, wash your hands after handling any newly delivered itemo Be kind to your hands - we are going to be washing them a lot and doing a great deal more cleaning - moisturise if they get dry or cracked to keep the skin in good health.